Cream Strawberry Cheese Red Cherries Recipe
Make Cream Strawberry Cheese Red Cherries Recipe in just 1h 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling
Red Cherry Topping & Assembly
Optional Base (cookies or sponge)
Method
Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling
- 1
Prepare strawberries
Rinse strawberries, hull and quarter them. Place 1 1/2 cups into a blender or food processor with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Puree until mostly smooth with a few small pieces for texture (about 20–30 seconds). Reserve remaining 1/2 cup quartered strawberries for folding or garnish.
- 2
Beat cream cheese
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth and free of lumps (about 1–2 minutes). Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- 3
Make sweetened whipped cream
In a chilled bowl, pour the heavy cream and whip on medium-high until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue whipping to medium-stiff peaks (about 1–2 more minutes).
- 4
Combine filling
Fold the strawberry puree and lemon zest into the softened cream cheese until evenly colored. Then gently fold in half of the whipped cream to lighten the mixture, followed by the remaining whipped cream until smooth and airy. If you reserved quartered strawberries, fold them in now for texture. Taste and add up to 1 tablespoon granulated sugar if you prefer sweeter filling.
Red Cherry Topping & Assembly
- 5
Prepare cherry glaze
In a small saucepan combine the maraschino cherries, cherry juice/syrup, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch into the cold water to make a slurry. Bring the cherry mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm.
- 6
Prepare optional crust
If using a base: combine crumbled graham crackers or vanilla wafers with the melted butter and 1 teaspoon sugar. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan or a shallow serving dish to form an even layer. Chill in the refrigerator 10 minutes to set.
- 7
Assemble dessert
Spoon or pipe the strawberry cream cheese filling over the prepared crust (or directly into dessert glasses). Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Spoon the cooled cherry topping evenly over the filling, leaving some cherries whole for garnish if desired. Chill the assembled dessert in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set and allow flavors to meld.
- 8
Garnish and serve
Before serving, garnish with reserved quartered strawberries and fresh mint leaves. For a more decorative finish, add a few whole maraschino cherries on top. Serve chilled.